How to decide if a Cisco Enterprise Agreement is right for your business

The job of managing multiple software agreements and one-off licensing purchases, regardless of the software vendor, has continually grown more complex. This challenge can often delay or derail software deployment, from difficulty in managing software licensing terms, unpredictable rising costs, and one of the most frustrating – wasted money and lack of return due to shelfware.

Who wants to navigate a complex procurement process every time they hire a new employee? Fortunately, with a centralized software agreement and expert management services, you don’t have to.

Let’s explore Cisco’s Enterprise Agreement (EA) and how to decide if an EA is your next move to managing your licenses and subscriptions.

What is a Cisco Enterprise Agreement?

Cisco EAs simplify the management and procurement of Cisco technology solutions for large organizations – providing a comprehensive suite of solutions that cover networking, security, collaboration, data center, and cloud services. They offer a flexible and streamlined approach to managing licenses and subscriptions across Cisco’s extensive portfolio, including software, services, and support.

By consolidating these elements into a single agreement, you can achieve significant cost savings through volume pricing and predictable budgeting. Cisco EAs are administered on a single contract with a single end date. All software added during the agreement will always terminate on that same end date. Additional EA benefits include flexible 3- to 5-year commitments and annual true forward, which means no retroactive billing.

Additionally, Cisco EAs enable organizations to efficiently scale your technology needs, ensuring access to the latest innovations and updates. This flexibility is essential in today’s rapidly changing digital landscape, allowing enterprises to quickly adapt to new challenges while minimizing administrative overhead and ensuring compliance across all Cisco deployments.

A good partner is critical

Maximizing the effectiveness of a Cisco EA comes down to how proactive your IT partner is, how well they know Cisco’s licensing portfolio, and their level of dedicated support across the full enterprise agreement lifecycle.

With an expert approach to managing your EA, a good partner can help relieve administrative burdens, simplify compliance, and allow IT teams to focus on strategic initiatives rather than routine tasks. A well-versed support team ensures visibility, financial predictability, and flexibility – helping you scale your technology investments in alignment with growth and changing needs, without incurring unexpected costs. By keeping you informed about the latest updates in Cisco technologies and licensing, your partner ensures you stay at the forefront of technological advancements for improved performance and security.

SHI’s Cisco EA management services are designed to help you take full advantage of all the benefits of your agreement. Our team will work with you to ensure your Cisco EA is:

• Easy to buy – with cross-architecture bundling, predictable billing, and locked-in pricing.
• Easy to consume – featuring true forward benefits and no penalties for growth.
• Easy to manage – with a single management dashboard and a dedicated customer success team.

Driving value for you

As a trusted Cisco Gold partner, SHI can support your organization throughout the entire lifecycle of your Cisco EA, from initial consultation and procurement to implementation and ongoing management. Our team of certified experts maximizes the value of your Cisco investments by providing personalized service and strategic advice. Our expertise in Cisco technologies enables us to design cost-effective solutions that align with your business goals and support growth.

Additionally, SHI’s robust infrastructure and resources ensure seamless deployment and integration of Cisco solutions, empowering your organization to drive digital transformation with ease. SHI is proud to have recently brought home eight Cisco partner awards, including Cisco’s Software Partner of the Year. This is a testament to our investment in providing you with an exceptional experience.

Are you taking advantage of Cisco EA benefits?

SHI can assess your Cisco estate to make sure you optimize your procurement, align with growth goals, and minimize business risk. Our Install Base Analysis will provide clarity to these questions and more:

• Are you realizing all available cost-saving opportunities?
• Can you optimize your buying strategy for additional savings?
• Have you identified the right EA enrollments?

If you aren’t currently taking advantage of EAs within your environment, now is the right time to start considering your options – and reaping the rewards.

Contact one of our Cisco experts today to learn how our Install Base Analysis can help your organization.